Women's Health
This category spans several distinct needs, including contraception, menopause symptoms and fertility treatment. The same hormone can have different uses, risks and monitoring requirements.

Yasmin
Drospirenone, Ethinylestradiol
3/0.03mg
Drospirenone with ethinylestradiol as a film-coated tablet, a combined oral contraceptive also listed for acne vulgaris. Gonadotropins are suppressed.

Alesse
Levonorgestrel, Ethinylestradiol
0.15/0.03 · 0.25/0.05mg
Levonorgestrel with ethinylestradiol tablets, a combined oral contraceptive taken by mouth. The hormone pair suppresses ovulation and thickens cervical mucus.

Levlen
Ethinylestradiol, Levonorgestrel
0.03/0.15mg
Ethinylestradiol with levonorgestrel tablets, a combined oral contraceptive. Negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis holds ovulation back.

Prometrium
100 · 200mg
Progesterone 100mg and 200mg soft capsules, used as part of hormone replacement therapy. The natural hormone rather than a synthetic progestogen.

Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets
Drospirenone, Ethinylestradiol
3/0.03mg
Drospirenone with ethinylestradiol as a film-coated tablet for contraception. Gonadotropin feedback suppresses ovulation and the mucus thickens.

Raloxifene Tablets
60mg
Raloxifene 60mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of osteoporosis. A SERM that acts like oestrogen on bone but not on breast tissue.

Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinylestradiol Tablets
2/0.035mg
Cyproterone acetate with ethinylestradiol as a film-coated tablet, used for severe acne, hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia. An anti-androgen with an oestrogen.

Desogestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets
0.15/30mg/mcg
Desogestrel with ethinylestradiol tablets for contraception, working through feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to suppress ovulation.

Estriol Topical
15g
Estriol cream in a 15g tube, applied vaginally for atrophic vaginitis. It replaces the oestrogen the tissue lacks, restoring its elasticity.

Cyklokapron
500mg
Tranexamic acid 500mg tablets, used in the management of menorrhagia and haemorrhage. An antifibrinolytic that stops clots being broken down early.
Key points
- Contraceptive choice depends on medical history, interactions, pregnancy goals and whether oestrogen is suitable.
- Menopause hormone therapy is individualised by symptoms, age, uterus status and relevant clotting or cancer risks.
- Fertility and hormone-sensitive cancer medicines require diagnosis-specific clinician or specialist oversight.
Listings are for comparison only; suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, pregnancy status and prescription requirements.
How the medicine groups differ
Hormonal contraceptive ingredients include ethinylestradiol, desogestrel and levonorgestrel. Estradiol may be used in menopause care. Clomifene has selected fertility uses, while anastrozole is primarily a specialist cancer medicine rather than a general hormone treatment.
What these medicines are used for
Uses may include contraception, menopausal symptoms and endometriosis, as well as specialist fertility or cancer care. Hormonal contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Important safety checks
Discuss pregnancy or breastfeeding, migraine with aura, clotting history, smoking, blood pressure, liver disease, hormone-sensitive cancer and interacting medicines. Unexpected bleeding, a missed period or new symptoms may need assessment before continuing or changing treatment.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing blood, one-sided leg swelling, signs of stroke, sudden vision loss, severe abdominal pain, or a serious allergic reaction. Suspected ectopic pregnancy symptoms, including severe one-sided pelvic pain with dizziness or bleeding, also need urgent assessment.
Further reading
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